if it hasnt been changed WITH full documentation then change the belt and tensioners/waterpump ASAP or as fortunateson has found out when the belt goes through poor maintainance (they are not notoroious for it if maintained correctly) it lunches valve train and pistons

if it hasnt been changed WITH full documentation then change the belt and tensioners/waterpump ASAP or as fortunateson has found out when the belt goes through poor maintainance (they are not notoroious for it if maintained correctly) it lunches valve train and pistons

This engine doesn’t have a timing belt it is chain driven therefore not a service interval item .
The water pump is driven off the auxiliry belt , which reminds me ,check for oil leaking from the vacum pump , very common . Vacum pump is mounted high up on the right hand side of the engine as you look in from the front .

Its the 125 350t version and has done 130k – most oil change / filter dealer stamps in place and it’s just gone through a CT (I’m in France – It’s a UK vehicle) so it’s good to drive technically for 2 years..

The gearbox and clutch were replaced by the current owner – and they feel fine to me apart from the gearbox feels really shallow (as in the lever doesnt move far from gear to gear or sit in deep).. not sure if thats a problem as it doesn’t feel stiff on the clutch?

The engine sounds good – no weird ticking and it has the usual spots of rust that can be treated…

2 tyres are needing a change and its a bit tatty but other than that I can’t see any issue.

So wise ones, what should I be looking for on this model? I had a google but couldn’t see much… it’s rear wheel drive if that makes a difference of what to look for?

How likely is it that I need to change the chain tensioners / guides asap?

PS it’s around £1400.. so seems a fair amount of van for the cash – and I hope it’ll get around 35mpg and be a good ghetto camper